A group of researchers at Dexeus Mujer, led by Dr Gerard Albaiges, director of R&D of the Fetal Medicine Section of the Obstetrics Department, has conducted a prospective study to externally validate the Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonatal prediction model in the Spanish population.

The study was conducted on a total of 25,484 women with singleton pregnancies who underwent routine ultrasound between 19 and 24 weeks’ gestation. The FMF model combines maternal factors, fetal weight estimated at mid-trimester by ultrasound and the uterine artery pulsatility index.

The results indicate that the FMF model has a satisfactory calibration and can be useful in early stratification of pregnancy care, improving management and saving resources. Therefore, the authors conclude that health professionals can use this model to predict SGA in high-risk pregnancies and improve prenatal care.